Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation, comprising a control device and a connector adapted to connect said apparatus to a subject network segment, in which said control device comprises data signal output adapted to impart a test data signal to said subject segment via said connector, and a data signal disrupter adapted to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said test data signal which affect its functional quality and/or to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said subject segment which are capable of affecting the functional quality of data signals carried thereon, and in which said apparatus is for testing data communications on a subject network segment operating under a two wire combined power and data network fieldbus-type protocol, in which said connector is adapted to connect said apparatus to said subject segment operating under the two wire combined power and data network fieldbus-type protocol, and in which said data signal output is adapted to impart a test data signal to said subject segment via said connector which test data signal is in accordance with the two wire combined power and data network fieldbus-type protocol.
A test apparatus for two-wire combined power and data network systems used in automation. The device includes a control device and a connector to attach to a network segment. The control device generates and injects test data signals into the network segment via the connector. It also disrupts data signals by altering physical layer attributes of the test signal (affecting its quality) or the network segment itself (affecting its ability to carry signals). The apparatus operates with two-wire combined power and data fieldbus protocols, ensuring test signals conform to the active protocol.
2. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 1 , in which said data signal disrupter is adapted to vary two or more of said physical layer attributes of said test data signal which affect its functional quality or said physical layer attributes of said subject segment which are capable of affecting the functional quality of data signals carried thereon.
The data communication testing apparatus as described has a signal disrupter that can modify two or more physical characteristics of the test data signal itself, OR modify two or more physical characteristics of the network segment, impacting the quality of data signals traveling on the segment. The data signal disrupter varies physical layer attributes to test the limits and reliability of the communication.
3. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 1 , in which said data signal disrupter is adapted to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said test data signal which affect its functional quality and/or one or more physical layer attributes of said subject segment which are capable of affecting the functional quality of data signals carried thereon in a common mode manner and/or a differential mode manner.
The data communication testing apparatus as described has a signal disrupter that can modify one or more physical characteristics of the test data signal itself, OR modify physical characteristics of the network segment, impacting the quality of data signals traveling on the segment. These modifications can be done in a common-mode manner (affecting both wires equally) and/or a differential-mode manner (affecting the voltage difference between the wires).
4. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 1 , in which said data signal disrupter is adapted to adjust the amplitude of said test data signal and/or the zero crossing accuracy of said test data signal and/or to inject noise to said subject segment.
The data communication testing apparatus as described contains a data signal disrupter that can adjust the signal amplitude of the test signal, or the timing accuracy of the test signal's zero crossings, or inject electrical noise onto the network segment. This injection tests the resilience of the network to variations or disturbances.
5. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 1 , in which said apparatus further comprises a monitor adapted to detect faults on said subject segment caused by a failure of said test data signal.
The data communication testing apparatus as described further includes a monitoring component that detects faults on the network segment. These faults are triggered by a failure in the injected test data signal. The monitor observes the network response to specific, intentionally introduced signal variations.
6. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 1 , in which said apparatus comprises a portable device, and in which said connector comprises an analog/digital output for imparting said test data signal to said subject segment, and a physical layer attribute modifier for varying one or more physical layer attributes of said subject segment.
The data communication testing apparatus as described is a portable, handheld device. It uses an analog/digital output for injecting the test data signal onto the network segment and contains a physical layer modifier for varying one or more physical characteristics of the network segment itself.
7. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 6 , in which said apparatus further comprises a higher controller, a data storage device associated with said higher controller, and a wired or wireless link between said portable device and said higher controller.
The portable data communication testing apparatus as described further includes a higher-level controller, a data storage device associated with the controller, and a wired or wireless link between the portable device and the higher-level controller. The controller manages test routines and data.
8. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 6 , in which said portable device is powered by an internal battery and/or an external power supply and/or by a power supply of the subject segment.
The portable data communication testing apparatus as described is powered by an internal battery, an external power supply, or by the power supply of the network segment under test. The ability to be powered by the target network allows for non-intrusive testing.
9. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 6 , in which said apparatus comprises environmental protection components which render the portable device resistant to the ingress of water.
The portable data communication testing apparatus as described includes environmental protection components that make the device resistant to water ingress. This enables testing in potentially wet or humid environments.
10. The apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation as claimed in claim 1 , in which said apparatus comprises Intrinsic Safety protection components which renders the apparatus safe for use in Intrinsically Safe hazardous areas.
The data communication testing apparatus as described includes Intrinsic Safety protection components, making it safe for use in hazardous areas where explosive gases or dust may be present. The design prevents sparks or excessive heat generation.
11. An apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation, comprising a control means and connection means adapted to connect said apparatus to a subject network segment, in which said control means comprises data signal output means adapted to impart a test data signal to said subject segment via said connection means, and a data signal disruption means adapted to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said test data signal which affect its functional quality and/or to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said subject segment which are capable of affecting the functional quality of data signals carried thereon; and wherein said apparatus is for testing data communications on IEC61158-2 Fieldbus segments, in which said connection means is adapted to connect said apparatus to a subject IEC61158-2 Fieldbus segment, and in which said data signal output means is adapted to impart a test IEC61158-2 Fieldbus data signal to said subject segment via said connection means.
A test apparatus for two-wire combined power and data network systems used in automation. The device includes a controller and a connector to attach to a network segment. The controller generates and injects test data signals into the network segment via the connector. It also disrupts data signals by altering physical layer attributes of the test signal (affecting its quality) or the network segment itself (affecting its ability to carry signals). The apparatus is specifically designed to test data communications on IEC61158-2 Fieldbus segments, ensuring test signals conform to the standard.
12. An apparatus for testing data communications on two wire combined power and data network systems for automation, comprising a control means and connection means adapted to connect said apparatus to a subject network segment, in which said control means comprises data signal output means adapted to impart a test data signal to said subject segment via said connection means, and a data signal disruption means adapted to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said test data signal which affect its functional quality and/or to vary one or more physical layer attributes of said subject segment which are capable of affecting the functional quality of data signals carried thereon; and wherein said apparatus is for testing data communications on a subject network segment operating under a combined power and data network fieldbus-type protocol, in which said connection means is adapted to connect said apparatus to said subject segment operating under a combined power and data network fieldbus-type protocol, and in which said data signal output is adapted to impart a test data signal to said subject segment via said connection means which test data signal is in accordance with the combined power and data network fieldbus-type protocol.
A test apparatus for two-wire combined power and data network systems used in automation. The device includes a controller and a connector to attach to a network segment. The controller generates and injects test data signals into the network segment via the connector. It also disrupts data signals by altering physical layer attributes of the test signal (affecting its quality) or the network segment itself (affecting its ability to carry signals). The apparatus tests networks operating under a combined power and data network fieldbus protocol, ensuring test signals conform to that protocol.
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September 5, 2017
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